A warm welcome to international students!

forum³ is the University Chaplaincy for students at the University of Bern and the Universities of Applied Sciences in Bern.

We welcome everyone – regardless of religion, denomination, beliefs or background. You do not need to be religious to take part in our activities or to talk to us.

Our activities centre around three dimensions: community, spirituality and development. For us, development means both personal growth and engaging with the questions and challenges facing our society.

forum³ creates spaces where students can meet and celebrate, find moments of silence, explore questions about life, and express themselves creatively. We offer opportunities for personal and spiritual growth as well as for reflection and discussion on religious, ethical and social issues.

Our events are generally free of charge for students. We only charge a fee for events involving overnight stays or significant material costs. Any fees are clearly indicated in the event information. However, cost should never prevent you from taking part – please feel free to contact us.

Pastoral Care

As a university chaplain I am here for you

Need someone independent to talk to?

The university chaplain is here to listen — whether you want to share what brings you joy, what matters to you, or what is weighing on your mind. Faith and spirituality can be part of the conversation, but they don’t have to be. You can rely on complete confidentiality and independence.

This service is free of charge. Conversations can take place in person, by phone, or by email.

Contact:
thomas.schuepbach@refbejuso.ch
+41 (0)78 842 78 90
Länggassstrasse 41 (4th floor), 3012 Bern

Programme Autumn Semester 2026: recreation

“Recreation” – this beautiful word, shared by English and French – was chosen by the students in our teams as the theme for this semester.

At first, “recreation” simply means taking a break, resting, stepping away from our usual routines. But its Latin roots suggest that there is more to it than mere distraction or entertainment: re-creare means to create again, to renew, to restore. It is about recovering from the exhaustion of a life that pulls us in many directions, gathering ourselves again, and rediscovering our strength and wholeness. We all need such re-creative pauses – in our studies, in our work, and amid the challenges of our personal lives.

forum³ and aki offer spaces and times for just this through the activities you will find in this programme. You might, for example, experience a fresh start – both physically and symbolically – by taking a swim in the Aare. Or recharge your batteries with forest bathing or Ecstatic Dance. Perhaps you would like to explore your creative side through bookbinding, a Colour Walk, or improv theatre.

Johann Baptist Metz famously wrote: “The shortest definition of religion is interruption.” Stepping off the hamster wheel, making space for recreation. Our service at the beginning of the new semester, as well as our meditation and prayer sessions, offer such moments of interruption – times when, for once, there is nothing you have to do. They can give us renewed strength.

And that is exactly what we wish you for the semester ahead!

Thomas Schüpbach
on behalf of the forum³ & aki teams